Under the Ice

It was shaped like a small box, and considering its size was surprisingly heavy. Its four sides were painted jet black. The flashing red light was mounted firmly on its lid. A warm glow emanated from its interior, and could be felt even through Ootah’s thick fur mittens. Anxious to see what it contained, the Inuit decided to carry it back to the igloo to share this amazing discovery with Akatingwah.

The trip back proved a bit more difficult. The snowdrifts were rapidly forming, and the bitter winds were gusting with such velocity that it was a chore just to remain standing. With Arnuk leading the way, Ootah lowered his head and plowed for263 ward, his newly found treasure locked firmly in a tight grasp.

With great relief he crawled back into the snowhouse. Arnuk was not about to be denied, and followed him inside. Before Akatingwah could shoo the dog away, her attention was drawn to the strange object her husband had placed beside the igloo’s flickering soapstone lamp. The intense flashing red light hurt her eyes at first, and as she shielded her gaze from its blindingly bright radiance, she spoke out in protest.

“What in the world is that thing, Ootah? Get it out of here this instant before it blinds all of us!”

Their young son Arno was instantly infatuated with his father’s find, and sprinted over to its side.

Yet much to the youngster’s dismay, his mother pulled him away and carried him off to the sleeping rack, where she proceeded to tuck him beneath the furs.

Only when she was certain that her son was properly protected did Akatingwah again turn her wrath on Ootah.

“Did you hear me, husband? I said get that infernal thing out of here this instant!”

A wondrous gleam filled Ootah’s eyes as he looked down at his find, and he replied, “Why in heaven’s name should I do that, Akatingwah? Don’t you see, this is the object of my quest!”

“Nonsense,” returned his mate.

“Whatever it is, it’s a creation of the devil, and must be disposed of immediately before it brings heartache to us all.”

To prove his wife wrong, Ootah crawled up to his discovery and gently stroked its smooth black sides.

“This is no demonic creation, Akatingwah. It’s a sign from the Great Spirit, the one my father warned of before he began his final journey. Come wife, touch it yourself and feel how it pulsates with a warmth that needs no flame in order for it to glow.”

“That’s the fire of hell that burns inside of it,” warned Akatingwah.

Ootah calmly shook his head.

“I beg to differ with you, dear wife. For what you see before you is the heart of the comet, sent to us from the Great Spirit to warn of the time of prophecy. We must treat this heavenly messenger well, and burn offerings to it, for the fate of the people is in its divine hands.”

“You’re beginning to sound more like Powhuktuk the shaman,” offered Akatingwah disgustedly.

Ootah held up the bone amulet that hung from a piece of sinew string around his neck.

“Perhaps the spirit of the shaman has possessed me, dear wife.

This amulet that my father transferred to me on his death bed was carved by the hand of his own father.

Anoteelik was a great shaman of the people; no miracle was too great for him. It is said that once my grandfather took off to capture Tornarsuk armed only with his sacred rattle, and seven days after leaving his snow house he returned with the body of the dead demon, who had taken the form of a huge polar bear. Upon further examination, it was found that the bear hadn’t suffered a single flesh wound.

Now what do you suppose it was that took the beast down?”

As Akatingwah shook her head that she didn’t know, Ootah continued.

“I’ll tell you what it was, dear wife. It was the power of the Great Spirit acting through its earthly vassal that was responsible for slaying the beast. And now I too have a direct channel to this all powerful source, because of this amulet I wear!”

Akatingwah seemed upset by this revelation, and, while shielding her eyes from the flashing beacon, worriedly sat down on the edge of the sleeping plat265 form.

“Surely this does not sound like my husband.

What ever happened to Ootah the hunter?”

His eyes still locked on the blinking red strobe, while thoughtfully fondling the bone amulet, Ootah passionately answered.

“The pursuer of game has become the hunter of souls, and at long last I now know my destiny!”

Hardly believing what she was hearing, Akatingwah vainly pleaded, “Please, dear husband, take this infernal object that you dragged in from the snow and drop it into the depths of the frozen sea.

Listen to the pleas of my heart, and know that it will only bring tragedy!”

Deaf to her words, Ootah directed his supplications solely toward the incessantly flashing light.